Wednesday, February 24, 2010

Annecy and Skiing in the Alps














I went skiing in the Alps this weekend and I had a blast! Friday after class my friends Ryan, Dana, John, Piya, Katie and I all took the overnight train to Annecy from Paris (all together about a 10 hour trip). The train had reclining seats but I couldn't sleep because I was too excited!
Half of the group missed their connection so we arrived about an hour before them and walked around the city. It was the first time I had ever seen a real mountain and it was beautiful! It looked like it had been painted onto a backdrop and hung from the sky. Piya's penpal, Pierre, picked us up with his friend and we all dropped off our stuff and went skiing on about one hour of sleep. But it didn't matter because we were having so much fun.

And so I skied for the first time in my life.

And I fell... a lot.

But I was enjoying myself so much! At the end of the day, Pierre talked us into going onto the intermediate hill. Piya and I went together. We both wiped out about half way down and I lost all my gear and hurt my wrist. After I found it all, I skied down to the bottom with Piya for a great finish with no falling! But I was done at that point because I was wet and cold.

We all went back to Pierre's and had dinner and a little party with some of his french friends.
Sunday, we toured Annecy. It used to be the capital of Geneva and it was obvious by the architecture. There were so many beautiful sights.

Tuesday, February 16, 2010

My Valentines Day!




I had a great Valentine's Day with my friend Paige!
We spent it on the castle and around town.

A Snowy Day in Caen!

All of the trams were closed so I decided to walk around and take pictures instead of going to my first class!





Tuesday, February 9, 2010

A cold and coffee...


Well, all is good in France except for my cold. Unfortunately, I am not alone. I think Clément and I have the same thing and last night I heard Elizabeth sneezing! Its a good thing tea and coffee are big here, because I having been non-stop ingesting the fluids. My new friend Ryan and I were just discussing today how great the coffee and tea machines are here. There are like 4 in every building. For 0,40€ you can get a cup of hot chocolate or coffee or tea, which is very handy when you walk from the tram in 30* weather! Coffee machines are probably not big in Texas because most of the time, your coffee could warm itself if you left it outside. But I have an idea! Sweet Iced Tea Machines! I think it's brilliant.

Sunday, February 7, 2010

Sunday Morning Market!

I had a great day today! Paige and I went to a huge outdoor market that they have at the Port every Sunday. They had everything from shrimp to shoes! I bought a 3 euro ring, a bracelet for myself and a present for a friend. I also bought some yummy seafood and flowers for Elizabeth (my french hostmom). She loved them! Then Paige and I had the best coffee I have ever tasted and Tiramisu at Les Touristes Café. Afterwards, we met some friends at the MacDo (McDonalds).It was the nicest McDonalds I had ever seen. They sold pastries and Parmesan Burgers!
All in all, it was a wonderful day!



Saturday, February 6, 2010

Friday, February 5, 2010

A fun night dancing!




I have made some great friends here and had some great times already! We went out dancing last night and had a blast! And I met some very nice french people. Hopefully, I can make some french friends soon.

Tuesday, February 2, 2010

Not one of my better days...



They warned me that I would have some bad days. They said it happens to everyone. Some days you just get frustrated and it feels terrible but that it gets better.
I believe that I had one of those bad days today.
I woke up, had breakfast in a hurry and then tried to get dressed.
I say tried because I attempted to put on my pants, but I have gained too much weight for them to fit. I noticed I have started to get a little pooch too. I think its because I am addicted to the boulangerie (bakery). I eat bread all day long because it is so amazing. I eat more than the french do. Not that it's bad that I have gained weight. I could stand to gain a few pounds. But it's a hard thing to accept.
Then I limped to the tram (because my knee hurts from walking a lot) and I got on the wrong one. I ended up being 15 minutes late to class and had to walk from the port.
Then my phone quit working.
I spilled OJ in my bag.
My classes were very hard today.
My prof kept us late and I missed my lunch rendez-vous.
And it was raining.


But after all that, I am still in France. I am still amazed at this opportunity. And I will keep my head up, because tomorrow is another day.

Monday, February 1, 2010

Tram Magic!

After class today, my friends and I rode the tram to Carrefour (like Wal Mart). I bought a few things and didn't know that you have to buy bags! But it turned out fine because my friend had a backpack. On the tram I realized that everyone has their own bags. I think a new messenger bag is in order!
I wondered how people get loads of groceries home. But then I realized, they don't have to! Everything is within walking distance or a tram ride away. And their food is fresher too. They buy their bread everyday or every other day. OH, how I adore the bread here. Wonderbread should be renamed wondermush, or "I wonder if this is bread."

The tram is so convenient too. I wish everywhere had public transit! I don't even need a car here to go to another country. This weekend we are going to London, then next weekend is Carnival in Nice! And no car required!